The Blessing Way (1970)

The Blessing Way is the first of Tony Hillerman’s mystery/detective genre novels that introduces the fantastic character of Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police. The story follows two anthropology professors from New Mexico who are looking forward to a summer research trip on the Navajo Reservation. Once they arrive, one of the professors, Bergen McKee, gets to reunite with his old college friend, Joe Leaphorn. McKee’s research dives into the fascinating cultural role of Navajo witches. Excitingly, on his very first day of interviews, he learns about a witch who actually visits his campsite that evening, sparking a thrilling sequence of events. At the same time, Lieutenant Leaphorn is looking into the murder of a young man, a case that beautifully intertwines with McKee's own encounters.